Nejla Calvo
Narragansett, RI
Class of 2008
How long have you been acting?
I have been acting ever since I was four years old. I started out by putting on performances and shows for my family, alongside my 3 siblings. It wasn't until the 4th grade that I entered my first guided acting class, a beginners acting workshop after school. I starred in my first play in the fifth grade, as Queen Helena in King Midas and the Palace of Gold. From that point on, I fell in love with the stage.
What is your favorite part of acting?
My favorite aspect of acting is the raw audience reaction to a performance. There is nothing like the adrenaline rush that I feel when I walk on stage, and instead of feeling nervous, I am eager to entertain. When singing or acting on stage I do not mimic or imitate a character; I become that person. To experience this powerful transformation is what makes theater my passion.
How does the Performing Arts Department inspire you and train you to prepare you for a show?
I am so grateful to have grown as an actress at Prout. I feel absolutely comfortable and supported by my peers and educators in the Performing Arts Department. The key to the success of Prout performances is the immense amount of time and work put into them by a collaboration of people. It is important to realize that a single actor is a puzzle piece to the big picture of the show. It is a team effort to improve an individual character, which is completely apparent in all the shows that I have partaken in at Prout. This great support system has helped me to improve as a performer.
As the productions approach, how do you manage your long rehearsal schedules with your academic responsibilities?
As a full IB student and working girl, this is not an easy task to accomplish. Basically, being a part of Prout shows has forced me to become an efficient time manager. I learn to utilize free rehearsal time, when I am not on stage or in between working on scenes, to complete my written homework. Then, as soon as I get home I spend a couple hours on my typed homework. I find that I become more motivated to complete my work during production time, because the added pressure actually helps me rather than stresses me out. One thing is for sure, there is no such thing as TV or AIM during rehearsal season.
What have you most enjoyed about the theatre department at Prout?
Of course, I love the actual performances. Some of my fondest high school memories have occurred backstage during a show. There is just an excitement in the air of a live performance that is inexplicable. My favorite part that I have played at Prout was my most recent Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland; it was just a ridiculous character, which made it ridiculously fun to play.
To what do you attribute the success of Prout's theatre department to?
This one is a no-brainer: Mr. DiLullo. There has been new crops of students and batches of talent passing through the doors of Prout throughout the years. Yet, our theatre program has remained strong as some of the most talented kids have graduated. There is no question that Mr. D is personally responsible for the caliber of performance that Prout displays. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such an experienced and genuinely passionate director.
What are your post graduate plans?
Good question. I am planning on pursuing a minor degree in Musical Theatre in college. I realize that although I am passionate about theatre, it is extremely difficult to make it in the business. Therefore, I plan on developing my skills as a performer, but not necessarily making a living from it. As long as theater remains a part of my life, I will be happy.